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Drug Use Characteristics of Drivers Arrested for DUI or DUID

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Governors Highway Safety Organization (GHSA) are eager to understand more about the incidence of drug use among drivers, which drugs (and how much of them) cause impairment, what type of impairment results, whether certain drugs increase risk of being involved in a fatal or non-fatal crash. Drug-impaired driving data is very limited, but increases in the legalization of cannabis usage (medicinal and recreational) and opioid-usage throughout the United States (U.S.) is bringing the issue to the forefront. The purpose of this research is to examine the characteristics of drug use among drivers arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID). This study will collect self-reported data about over-the-counter, prescription, and illegal drug use, and biological samples to detect the presence of these drugs among drivers arrested for
DUI or DUID. The study will take place at multiple locations (at least two, no more than three) jurisdictions, most likely in separate states. This information will help better define the problem of drugged driving as well as inform decisions about the development, implementation, and evaluation of countermeasures to prevent drugged driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities.

Supplemental Notes:

This study is being conducted under the National Cooperative Research and Evaluation Program (NCREP), which is administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and jointly managed by NHTSA and the Governors Highway Safety Association.